I am a board member of this wonderful collegial organization which works for the food-insecure like no other. Besides the executive leadership, the board of directors are proactive and take an active interest in the the well being of Midsouth Food Bank (MSFB) (previously Memphis Food Bank). We as board members strive to link the MSFB with potential donors and also help the organization link up with diverse population groups. Because of the diverse leadership background of the board, the MSFB is able to get support for its administrative growth and is increasingly becoming even more transparent despite its Charity Navigator transparency rating of 70/70. As partners, the volunteers and workers, executives and board members work in tandem in a true team spirit to alleviate hunger in 31 counties of MS,TN and AR. We help kids, seniors and Midsoutherners of all ages and backgrounds. Help us fight hunger and we will continue to be be very frugal with your valuable donations.
Nadeem Zafar, M.D.
Review from CharityNavigator
The Mid-South Food Bank continues to save lives by providing food for the needy. The executive director, Mrs. Estella Greer reaches out constantly to various organizations to give in support of this worthwhile community effort. Because of her expertise, many organizations are making The Food Bank part of their charitable giving and fundraising.
I have had the incredible experience of going to the Food Bank as a volunteer. The service to our community is simply amazing. Imagine not having food on Thanksgiving Day. The Food Bank strives to help this happening to many families. God Bless those who work and volunteer at the Food Bank. They work miracles. They go the extra mile.
In 2009, I helped The Food Bank with their work on a national food survey. We interviewed people at local food distribution centers around the Mid-South area: local food pantries get food from Memphis and give it to peopl e in need. In talking with the clients, I learned how great the need really is in this time of economic hardship. One question on the survey was, "What was your total family income last year?" I was shocked when one woman responded, "$62,000." There was no money coming in now and she was feeding her family any way she could: food stamps, food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. The Mid-South Food Bank was helping to keep her children fed, the most basic of human needs. The food pantries we visited all had nothing but praise the The Food Bank. It was great working with them.
Mid-South Food Bank is a valuable organization in our community. This area was recently named the "Hunger Capital of the Nation", according to a recent poll conducted by the Gallup Organization for the Food Resources Action Center. Mid-South Food Bank distributes food and other groceries to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other agencies that feed hungry people. They operate efficiently and are very good stewards of the donations they receive.
i need to mention that i am married to the person who is currently president and ceo of the midsouth food bank. because of that i have experience in observing how the midsouth food bank serves people in our area who are in need of one of life's essentials. you might know that throughout the midsouth (memphis - and many counties in western tennessee, northern mississippi and crittendon county, arkansas) there are food pantries operated by volunteers from, mostly churches, that are enabled to serve people who would otherwise go hungry with food provided by the midsouth food bank. this food is provided at no cost to the food pantries who pay only a small handling cost. i know of no complaints on the part of food pantries at the friendly and efficient service they receive. the midsouth food bank does a hugely effective job at soliciting receiving and distributing free food and the same at raising money for efficient food purchases and operations. all this is done in spirit ad practice of honest give and take, of respect for all and love for those served.
The Mid-South Food Bank is definitely a GREAT nonprofit. Under the leadership of Susan Sanford, they have helped to feed countless hungry people in the Mid-South, and have done a wonderful job creating and sustaining valuable relationships with businesses and citizens in the community who contribute to the Mid-Souht Food Bank's efforts. They have also created fabulous programs for needy children and adults. The Mid-South is lucky to have such a wonderful organization that is so committed to helping the less fortunate.
I am biased, since I am the CEO of Mid-South Food Bank, but we are a Great Nonprofit! Our mission is to fight hunger by collecting and distributing wholesome food and through education and advocacy. Our vision is creating a hunger-free Mid-South. Our programs all focus on our mission and include our warehouse distribution, produce delivery, Kids Cafe where children receive a balanced meal in a restaurant-like setting, Food for Kids BackPack program that provides a full back pack of easy to open and prepare foods for the weekend, the Mobile Pantry that takes trucks of food to underserved counties where the agenices are too small to serve the growing number of hungry people and the retail pick-up program. The Food Bank is the only organization, public or private, that does what we do in our region. As a Feeding America food bank we serve agencies and churches in 12 TN counties, 18 in MS and 1 in AR. We save them between $15 and $20 million a year in food costs to help people solve their problems and become productive citizens. Each year 186,000 different people rely on food from the Food Bank for their very next meal; 62,000 of them are children. The Memphis Metro area that includes 8 counties was reported to be the hungries area in the country, and the food and dollars we receive are essential to feeding hungry adults and children.